PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE RECOGNITION AND REPORTING

Course overview

UNFORTUNATELY, CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT IS A SIGNIFICANT PENNSYLVANIA PROBLEM. THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD ABUSE DUE TO A CHILD'S INABILITY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FREQUENTLY MISS CHILD ABUSE CASES. FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CHILD ABUSE TO BE MADE, A HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION IS NEEDED. PENNSYLVANIA HAS CREATED A LEGAL STRUCTURE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO ASSURE HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN CHILDREN AND KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE STATE AGENCIES IN THE PROTECTION AND CARE OF THE CHILD. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EPIDEMIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA OF CHILD ABUSE. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTER-PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION.